ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SPEIER BATTLES AILMENT.Byline: DOUG PADILLA Douglas ("Doug") Padilla (born October 4, 1956 in Oakland, California) is a former middle and long distance runner from the United States, who won the overall Grand Prix 1985 and the World Cup 5000m race in 1985. Staff Writer CHICAGO -- One sign the Angels' latest injury is not deemed serious is the faux ceremony held in the wounded's honor. Justin Speier Justin James Speier (born November 6, 1973 in Walnut Creek, California) is a right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Angels. He attended Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, Arizona. He also attended Nicholls State University. was presented with a G.I. Joe-like action figure by teammate Darren Oliver Darren Christopher Oliver (born October 6, 1970 in Kansas City, Missouri) is a pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Oliver is the son of former infielder Bob Oliver. Oliver played baseball and basketball at Rio Linda High School in Rio Linda, California. that had tape around the knee and dog tags around the neck, symbolic of the right-hander's warrior-like attitude. Speier aggravated a sore knee while pitching in Baltimore and an examination revealed a strained medial collateral ligament The medial collateral ligament or MCL (or tibial collateral ligament) is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. It is on the medial or inner side of the joint. . He was not an option out of the bullpen Friday night, but might be return to action today or Sunday. "It was minor and then it was one pitch that I felt it more than before," Speier said. "I thought it was knee tendinitis and then I got it evaluated. They're thinking to calm it down for a few days and then get back out there." One issue with an injury like Speier's is that if he comes back too soon, he can run the risk of overcompensating for it, which could lead to other issues like arm trouble. "You don't want to change your delivery or change your mechanics and try to do something you're not used to doing," Speier said. "We'll take it one step at a time. They have seen this before and we think it is a small issue." Speier was told the injury is common with pitchers who drop their body during their delivery and drive toward home plate with their back leg, similar to guys like David Cone
Erstad sits for White Sox:Former Angel Darin Erstad Darin Charles Erstad (born June 4, 1974 in Jamestown, North Dakota) is a first baseman/center fielder in Major League Baseball currently with the Chicago White Sox. Prior to 2007, he had played his entire career with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim franchise (1996-2006). , finally healthy after another season of ankle injuries, was not in the starting lineup For the line of action figures, see . A starting lineup in sports refers to the set of players actively participating in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes for the White Sox on Friday. White Sox prospects like Josh Fields Joshua Dean Fields (born December 14, 1982 in Ada, Oklahoma) is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Chicago White Sox. He was selected as the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft by the White Sox. (left field) and Hart High product Jerry Owens (center) are getting a chance to play. Erstad said before the game that he has not decided if he will retire at the end of the season. The White Sox hold a $3.5 million contract option for next season or can utilize a $250,000 buyout. "I haven't even thought about that and I'll wait until this offseason and get to that," Erstad said. "I have no idea. I'm not going to think about that. I'm going to finish it out here and worry about all that stuff later." Erstad has played in 79 games this season, batting .253 with three home runs and 29 RBIs. Guerrero throws: Vladimir Guerrero threw on the side before Friday's game to test his inflamed right triceps triceps, any muscle having three heads, or points of attachment, but especially the triceps brachii at the back of the upper arm. One head originates on the shoulder blade and two on the upper-arm bone, or humerus. . Guerrero has been the designated hitter the past four games after missing the last four games of the previous homestand when the injury flared up. Guerrero might not return to right field until the team returns home for a seven-game homestand beginning Monday. Matthews update: Gary Matthews also played catch before Friday's game, coming onto the field in his cleats instead of the protective boot he had been wearing the past two days. Matthews sprained his right ankle sliding into second base Tuesday at Baltimore. Despite the progress from being on crutches Wednesday to a walking boot Thursday to no ankle support by Friday, there still is no timetable for his return. Maicer takes the fifth: At first it was an act of desperation, but having Maicer Izturis in the No. 5 spot of the lineup for 14 of the past 19 games has grown on Scioscia. Izturis has eight RBIs in 47 at-bats out of the No. 5 spot and had a .358 on-base percentage there before Friday. He is now batting .405 with runners in scoring position this season and has 43 RBIs. |
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